Making a semi-Frankenstien Rocky.

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Hello,
posted this in the general thread to get more feed back coz i'm a technical doofus.
Currently driving a Daihatsu Rocky from Malaysia and would like to upgrade it. It shares quite a lot of common parts with a Toyota like a 3Y engine i was wondering how straightforward would it to upgrade to a 3RZFE 2.7 Prado engine? Would it probably be a plug and play thing or i might need to fabricate an adaptor to mate my gearbox to it?
Another issue is the 3RZFE is an auto unit, so is it still possible to mate it to my Rocky's manual gearbox? I believe i still need to source a clutch, flywheel, pressure plate.
Or would it be easier and better in the interest of offroading to just drop in the whole 3RZFE engine and its autogearbox and make an adaptor to mate it to the Rocky transfercase?

On top of that i would like to change my axles as i cannot source a lower final drive for my Rocky axle. I was considering changing to either Toyota Hilux or LCII (i think it's a Bundera in Oz). Which would be better and why? Which is wider, stronger?
What other guidelines and issues when changing axles my mechanic need to look at? My original rear axle is offset to the right slightly. So would i be better of fitting LC axles as it's offset too? How about driveline issues?
Or should i just run a complete Hilux drivetrain from the autobox, TC and Hilux axle.

Lastly what's your opinion on the toyota factory "electric" lockers? Do they do the job well? I dont understand why some of my mates say they are "weak" and quite vunerable and has disengaging problems.

To sum it up. This is what i thought of doing to the Rocky.
Engine: 3RZFE
Gearbox: Rocky gearbox and TC
Axle: Toy LCII front and rear axles.

Or run 3RZFE, Hilux autobox, Hilux TC and Hilux axles.

Looking forward to your comments.
Cheers
Vic from Malaysia.

[NICK]

if you get 60's l/c diffs the spring pearchs are 10mm wider than the rockys so these will bolt right in, bar the steering and shafts.

i would dump the rocky box as it is a piece of crud, get a 22r bundera box and swap the bell so the 3rz will bolt to it, this will also give you the offset t-case to match the diffs.



NICK

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

So it's better to get 60series axles due to the spring perches being able to match up easily? How about Hilux axles? What sort of factory ratio's are common for the 60 series? I heard they come with cable lockers. How wide are they anyway?

Not much faith in the Rocky's gearbox Nick? I was hopping i could retain the gearbox as i'm on a budget. Not good experinces you have with them?

[4sum4]

Maybe best to buy another car

[Spartacus]

alrighty the allterrain challenge may have 2 modified rockys competing:

mine: diesel rocky driveline, MQ diffs, 4" suspension & 33s
mates: diesel rocky driveline, scat F20 transfer, GQ diffs, 80series coils, 36 TSL

Depending on how handy u are at welding etc, stay with leaves
landcruiser/nissan diffs, spring over and run 35s.
As for engine and driveline im looking into rover 3.9V8-Hilux 5spd-dual
transfers or transfer gears

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Hey quick question. Anyone knows strengthwise which is better? A LCII(Bundera) rear axle or a Hilux?
By having the diff pumpkin in the centere a big disadvantage in offroading as opposed to it offset?
Anyone know offhand what is the TC ratio from a Toyota Prado 2.7 litre? Am i right to say they share plenty of drivetrain from the Hilux?

I got this from marks4wd.com
A343F (2.7ltr P & 3.0ltr TD) 4-Speed Automatic
2.804:1
1.531:1
1.000:1
0.753:1
-
2.393:1
4.555:1(2.7ltr) 4.100:1(3.0ltr TD)
1.00/2.566:1 Full-Time

The TC ratio doesnt sound right. Offhand i thought its 2.2:1 and its only the V6 that comes with a chain driven TC with 2.5:1. I didnt know the Prado was a full time 4wd too. Anyone can verify this?

[Zute]

Yep. Full time.

[J Top]

and the T/C isn't strong, i have had 1 with smashed planetaries and have heard it can be common if you abuse them.
J Top